#178: Playfully Illustrating Polly Pocket Nostalgia with Amy Greenbank

Making It in The Toy Industry with The Toy Coach

Ever since my childhood fascination with Polly Pockets, I've been enamored with toys and video games that allowed me to build worlds of my own. When I came across an announcement of a Polly Pocket book on Instagram, I knew immediately I had to dig deeper and get to know the people behind the book. My first outreach was to Amy Greenbank, an accomplished artist, and illustrator with a distinct style that calls back to the colorful pop art of the eighties and nineties. During this episode, we explore her artistic journey, from oil painting to digital illustration, revealing how being a consumer of products produced by the toy industry has significantly influenced the vibe of her work.

Amy Greenbank did not formally study illustration, but after building a passionate following of her artwork online, Amy got the attention of Maude Campbell, the author of the book “The Legacy of Polly Pocket, Mattel's Micro Moneymaker”. During this episode Amy takes us through the journey of finding her artistic style, experimenting with various media, finding her art people online, and how she creates artwork that gives you the feeling of your favorite toys from childhood.

This episode is a must-listen for all toy enthusiasts, artists, and those who simply love the nostalgia of their childhood treasures. Tune in and let Amy’s colorful journey inspire you!
EPISODE CLIFF NOTES

• Discover who Amy Greenbank, the featured guest on episode #178 of "Making It in The Toy Industry", is and why her artistic style has caught the eye of the toy industry.
• Curious about Polly Pocket's resurgence? Get a sneak peek into an exciting project Amy Greenbank is currently working on, which promises to bring the nostalgic toy back in a big way.
• Learn about Amy's unexpected journey into the art world - no formal education, just pure passion, and a lot of YouTube videos.
• Interested in where artists like Amy get their inspiration? Amy's source might surprise you.
• Peek into Amy's early days in art - her exploration of oil painting and how she built her foundational skills might inspire you.
• Discover how Instagram played a pivotal role in Amy's shift from traditional oil painting to vibrant toy painting.
• Amy's shift from oil painting to toy painting began when she started exploring Instagram, where she found a community of other toy enthusiasts.
• Amy’s art style was significantly influenced by nostalgic elements from the '80s and '90s

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